UK Number Plate Format & Registration Years | Regtransfers.co.uk Car Registration System in the UK A Historical Overview Including an Explanation of formats NB: This article is summarised in bullet points at the foot of the page. When it became obvious that the motor car was here to stay, and that its popularity was rapidly growing, the British government took various steps to introduce regulation and control. It also recognised the need to be able to identify and trace vehicles in the event of accidents, their being used in the execution of crime or their being stolen. One effect of the 1903 Motor Car Act (which actually took effect at the beginning of 1904) was to require all vehicles on British roads to be registered and to display registration plates, which would enable them to be easily identified. So, although the first car registrations were actually issued in 1903, the legal requirement for vehicles to display them didn’t take effect until 1904. Several numbering systems have been implemented since 1903, the first of which operated until 1932.

The Original System: Things got off to a fairly uncertain start in 1903, with various inconsistencies and changes to the original car registrations numbering system appearing in some regions. However, it is generally true to say that the very early number plates consisted of a letter code denoting the issuing authority, and a sequential identification number. Unlike more recent versions, this first generation of number plates had no year identifier. This original car registrations series included the combinations A1-YY9999. The letter component (either single character or a pair) identified the local authority in whose area the vehicle was registered (A, for example, indicated a vehicle registered in London). The number component simply incremented and provided the unique identification for the bearer vehicle within the area shown by its letter code. In England and Wales the area letter codes were assigned alphabetically according to the size of the population in each authority’s area, hence crowded London’s allocation of the ‘A’ designation. In Scotland and Ireland the system worked a little differently. Registration in those regions began with the letter S in Scotland and I in Ireland. These national identifiers would be followed by another letter which, like the English and Welsh versions, specified the local registering authority, and then by the sequential ID number.

Upon reaching 9999 and thus exhausting its available numbers, an authority would be given another two-letter mark which would enable them to continue issuing car registrations. These new letter codes, however, followed no predictable sequence or pattern, as they were allocated ad hoc to authorities that requested them. In 1932 the scheme was extended due to the shrinking number of available combinations. The extension consisted of three-letter/three-number combinations in the range AAA1 to YYY999. Further extensions to the scheme were required in some areas by the 1950s, again due to demand depleting the pool of remaining numbers. In these areas, the format was reversed so that the number component preceded the letter component. In the areas of greatest demand, yet another extension was introduced within a decade, this time using the range 1A -9999YY. The Suffix System: Demand for registrations continued to grow as the number of vehicles on UK roads increased, and a slightly more flexible format was devised, one which would provide more information about the vehicle. This new format retained the principle of the regional identification letters, and the sequential ID number.

The innovation was the addition of a letter code at the end of the plate, which indicated the year of issue. To illustrate: in the first year of this new system, numbers were drawn from the range AAA1A-YYY999A (the ‘A’ signifying 1963, which was the year in which this format commenced). Similarly, in the following year of 1964, the range of possible registrations issued was AAA1B-YYY999B, which is the same as the range for the previous year but with the appropriately altered year suffix, and so on year after year. This had two major benefits: it enabled people (including prospective purchasers of used cars) to determine the age of a vehicle, and it meant that the number sequence used to identify individual vehicles could be reused each year, as the year letter would change. Because of the placing of the year code at the end of the character string, these new plates became known as suffix number plates. Below is a table showing the issue dates for car registrations bearing each of the suffix year codes.

Suffix Number Plate Terminology Explained Tel: 01642 363738 Web : Number Plate Terminology Explained Search and Buy Private Number Plates Over 49 million registrations starting from £369 Search for your name, initials, a number... anything! Search W 1 by 1 Single digit, single letter, dateless plates, for instance N 1 - issued in January 1904. These registrations were issued from 1903 and are the most expensive - and desirable plates to own! Letters and numbers can be issued in reverse. 2 by 2 Double digit, double letter, dateless plates, for instance NN 11. They can be less expensive than 1 by 1 registrations, typically issued with numbers first via the DVLA auctions NN 11 was issued in 1921 but never reversed. 2 by 3 Dateless registrations including 2 letters and 3 digits or 2 digits and 3 letters such as NNN 11 and 111 NN. NNN 11 was issued in 1952 and reversed in 1962.

2 by 4 Double letter, four digit dateless registrations, for example HN 1234 was issued around 1925 in Darlington. 3 by 3 Triple digit, triple letter dateless registrations. These are the youngest of all the dateless registrations and were issued up to 1962. When they contain certain letters such as V, X or Y they are often used as "cover plates" to smarten up vehicles, effectively covering up the year letter. Acrylic Acrylic number plates are offered as an "extra" by National Numbers to display your registration on your vehicle. You can buy acrylic number plates at the same time as buying a registration. Assign Moving a registration number from a certificate to a suitable vehicle is known as assigning . You can't assign a registration mark in order to make a vehicle appear newer. Auction National Numbers attend all DVLA Auctions, where we are one of the biggest investors. We have an excellent track record at getting registrations for our clients through auctions of number plates . Cheap Cheap doesn't necessarily mean worse, but cheap number plates certainly carry less meaning. Still - they can effectively disguise the age of a vehicle. Cherished Cherished numbers are another term for dateless registrations.

The name comes from the owners of dateless registrations who classed the marks as cherished and a family keepsake. Cherished Transfer Scheme The Cherished Transfer Scheme allows cherished number plates to be transferred between vehicles . If the vehicle which is receiving the number in a cherished transfer is already registered, its existing number will become void unless an application to transfer or retain that number is made at the same time. Current Style Also known as Millennium and New-Style registrations. This is the system current system for number plates in the UK, issued from September 2001. The system allows for two issues per year, March being indicated by "01", "02", "03" etc while September is shown as "51", "52", etc. The two initial letters identify the year of issue while the last three letters are random. For example NV53 ZPB informs you that the vehicle in question was registered in September 2003 in the North i.e. Stockton or Newcastle. Dateless Dateless registrations, also known as Cherished registrations, are the oldest type of registration available. There are various formats and prices ranging from £100 to £100,000!

Either way, Dateless Registrations all effectively conceal the age of the vehicle on which they ride but are chosen for all kinds of reasons. Documentation (Docs) Collective term for the documentation that's needed to complete a transfer. National Numbers require the original documentation in order to complete your transfer. Donor Donor is the term given in vehicle to vehicle transfers to the car donating its registration. The £80 transfer fee covers the cost of the donor being re-registered with an age related mark. DVLA Short for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency . DVLA governs registrations of vehicles, registration marks, and drivers. DVLA Local Offices There are no longer any local DVLA offices in operation. DVLC DVLC is the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre and used to be the name of the DVLA before it became an agency and responsible for raising money for The Treasury. Learn more about DVLC . Entitlement Certificate (V750) Pink form "holds" marks which have never been on a vehicle before. The certificate is valid for 10 years and can be renewed upon expiry. The mark can be assigned to a suitable vehicle registered in either the purchaser's or nominee's name. See Certificates of Entitlement for more information.

Entitlement Period The entitlement period is currently ten years and can be extended. Fast Track National Numbers offer a fast track service wherby we assign a registration to your vehcile the same day. Call [~sale-line~] for details. First Registration (V55/4) Application for a first licence for a new motor vehicle and declaration for registration - for use by individuals importing a new vehicle, kit cars. First Registration (V55/5) Application for a first licence for a motor vehicle and declaration for registration - for use by individuals to register used vehicles, e.g. rebuilt. For more information on First Registration, see Registering a Vehicle with DVLA. Font There is one font (with several variations) that can be used legally on UK number plates: these are based on the Charles Wright font. Governing Bodies There are several governing bodies that oversee dealers engaged in the sale and transfer of registration numbers. Two of these are the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) and the Cherished Numbers Dealers Association (CNDA), both of which require members to adhere to a strict code of conduct. Grantee Name which appears at the top of a retention certificate and is the same as the keeper of the vehicle that the mark came off.

Only the grantee is entitled to sign the certificate. At present, the DVLA will not change the grantee but will allow a change of address . New regulations are currently pending to allow more flexibility in this procedure. Inspection An inspection takes place when the DVLA need to validate that the donor car is using a registration legally, by comparing the car chassis number with its log book. Whilst these checks do not happen very often they will slow down the transfer process by at least a week. This is primarily done for the safety of the person buying the plates. If it turns out that the car is stolen, then the DVLA can take the registration back, even after the transfer has been completed. Irish Irish number plates can be a cost-effective way to disguise the age of a vehicle. These are from Northern Ireland and are still issued by the DVLA. Registrations from the ROI are not transferable. Log Book (V5) This is a vehicle logbook - the official DVLA document code for a logbook is V5/C Vehicle Registration Certificate . Make Your Own Plate National Numbers offers two ways for you to design your own registration. You can design your own prefix registration or new-style registration .

Millennium Millennium registrations is another term for the current style of registration numbers used on vehicles in the UK, issued from September 2001. MOT MOT stands for Ministry Of Transport (roadworthiness certificate). The test is required by law for all vehicles over three years of age. The form is now printed on computer and can be validated online. Motorbike Registrations can be transferred between cars and motorbikes. New-Style New-style registrations is another term for the current style of registration numbers used on vehicles in the UK. Nominee The grantee is able to nominate someone to receive the registration mark "stored" on a retention certificate . The mark can be assigned to a vehicle either in the name of the grantee or the nominee. Number Plate The term number plate is used to describe both the registration i.e. the rights to use a number, and the acrylic plates onto which the number is printed. Number plates come in many styles and formats. For a idea of what's available, see our article Number Plate Formats Explained . Number Plate System Dateless (1903 - 1962): The original system. Suffix (1963 - 1982): suffix series system.

Prefix (1983 - 2001): prefix series system. 2001 - 2049: current, new-style series. Personalised All vehicles are issued with a registration mark. Some drivers prefer to personalise their vehicle by actually choosing a mark to match their initials , name , etc. Prefix Prefix registrations came into force in 1983. They are named prefix because a year identifying letter precedes any digits or letter sequences. Private Private registrations is another term for personalised registrations. Private registrations are a bit like private schools, indicating an item not just accepted from a standard range. Purchaser The name appearing on the top of the V750 . The purchaser has the same legal rights as the "grantee" on a retention certificate. Q Plate Q registrations identify a vehicle whose origin is unknown. For this reason, you can't put a cherished number onto a Q registered vehicle. Unfortunately you cannot buy Q prefix or suffix registrations. Quote/Valuation National Numbers offer free and instant online quotes for owners of registrations. We also offer a telephone service at a premium rate. Call 0905 757 0011. Calls cost £1 per minute.

Recipient In vehicle-to-vehicle transfers , the vehicle receiving the new registration mark is called the Recipient. Registered Keeper In transfers, the Registered Keeper is the person named on the V5 logbook . The registered keeper is not necessarily the same as the vehicle owner. Registration A term used to refer to the number used on a personalised number plate. The registration corresponds to the Vehicle Identification Number on a vehicle and is printed on the vehicle registration document . Registration Document (V5) Some people refer to this as the logbook - the official DVLA document code for a logbook is V5/C (vehicle registration certificate) . Retain To retain a registration means to move a registration number from a vehicle to a certificate . This allows the owner to retain the right to use the registration. Retention Certificate (V778 or V778/1) Application to place a mark on a retention certificate . The certificate allows a registration to be taken off a vehicle and stored on a certificate for later transferral or sale. Retention Scheme Pertains to a Retention Certificate - this is the scheme under which these certificates are issued. The scheme allows a mark to be taken off a vehicle and stored on a certificate. The same regulations apply as for vehicle to vehicle transfers.

Reverse Dateless Reverse dateless number plates came about when councils discovered the sequence of dateless plates released would not provide a plentiful amount of registrations. The reversed sequence was issued much later than the original registrations with letters first. For example FDT + numbers was issued in 1948 and reversed in 1961. Scrapped A vehicle which has been scrapped must be declared scrapped with the DVLA. You cannot transfer a registration off a vehicle which has been scrapped. Show Plate Show Plates is a term given to acrylic number plates that are used for show or off-road purposes. They often include non-standard spacing, badges, and fonts. In November 2008, stricter regulations came into place making it illegal to manufacture such plates. Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) SORN is an abbreviation for Statutory Off Road Notification. If you do not renew your vehicle licence ( tax ) then you must declare the vehicle off the road with the DVLA. This is now a legal requirement. Stock National Numbers owns about 1,000 stock personalised registrations . These are purchased from auctions or from members of the public. Our stock number plates are held, very conveniently, on retention or entitlement certificates in the office.

This means that the transfer time is greatly reduced. Suffix Suffix registrations consist of 3 letters followed by up to 3 digits, and a final letter which identifies the year the number was issued. The first suffix registration to be issued was A in 1963. An example of a suffix registration is NNN 123A. Tax Also known as a vehicle licence , your car must be taxed before you can transfer a registration on to it. If your vehicle is acting as a donor, then you can transfer the mark up to 12 months after the tax has expired (not refunded). Different tax bands are now introduced based on emissions, etc. Transfer To move a registration from one vehicle to another. This is subject to an £80 DOT fee. Transfer Fee £80 fee to transfer a mark from donor to recipient vehicle or onto a retention certificate. Unissued Unissued refers to registrations that have never been issued by the DVLA. Sometimes these are entire ranges of plates (for instance Q plates, which are reserved for kit cars, etc) or combinations that may be deemed offensive, like BNP, ARS, etc. However, DVLA appear to becoming more and more tolerant - perhaps driven by revenue.

V317 Transfer form issued by DVLA. V750 Certificate of entitlement (pink) "holds" marks which have never been on a vehicle before. Valid for 10 years and can be renewed on expiry. Can only be assigned to a vehicle registered on DVLA computer. V778 Actual retention certificate (green) Issued by DVLA to "hold" a reg mark. Valid for 10 years and can be renewed upon expiry. V778/1 Application to place a mark on a retention certificate . VAT All registrations are subject to VAT. However, some transactions attract free VAT while some are subject to part VAT. This is because we sell number plates on behalf of individuals, who are not VAT registered, and companies who are VAT registered. Vehicle Excise and Registration Act Amendments to the Vehicle Excise and Registration Act allowed the sale of previously unallocated registrations. A new government division, Sale of Marks (SOM), was created to fulfil activities related to the sale of these marks. At this time, the DVLC (as was) became the DVLA. The revenue accrued as a result of these sales contributes directly to the Treasury.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) A number, often stamped on the chassis of a vehicle, which identifies it. Vehicle Registration Office (VRO) See DVLA Local Offices . Vehicle to Vehicle Transfer Form (V317) This form allows a vehicle to vehicle transfer of a registration . Both keepers must sign the relevant forms. Write Off A vehicle which has been written-off is no longer seen as viable in the eyes of a vehicle insurance company. You cannot transfer a registration on to a written-off vehicle, but you can transfer one off using a V317 , or onto a certificate using a V778 . To follow are some helpful hints to suggest numbers that look like letters. Remember, you are not allowed legally to mis-space the number and/or letters in order to mis-represent the actual registration mark. Last updated: Tuesday 3rd January 2017 Other articles in this section: A Brief History Lesson on Licensing and Registrations Tel: 01642 363738 Web : History of Number Plates Before Number Plates Prior to the introduction of number plates there was the Locomotive and Highways Act 1896, which contributed to the rise in popularity for motor vehicles.

The Act increased the speed limit and introduced compulsory lights for safety, but more relevantly it required vehicles to be registered by the local council. Even such ideas like driving on the left side of the road was introduced in the Act. Introduction of Number Plates After the turn of the century the number of vehicles on the road reached 5,000. While today this seems a low figure it was quite scary at the time. The Motor Car Act 1903 was introduced as a result. The Act was intended to help identify vehicles and their drivers, and it did this by mandating the display of registration marks in a prominent position. The first registration marks were made up of one letter and one number. The first, A1, was issued by London County Council in 1903. This style continued until all possible combinations ran out. At this point the format changed to two letters and up to four numbers. Besides a 1909 Act which introduced road tax to fund road improvements, the Roads Act 1920 was the biggest change in quite some time. This new act changed the registration process so that Councils had to register all vehicles at the time of licensing, assigning a separate number to each vehicle.

Different councils were allowed different characters for their licensing. For example, number plates starting KA were exclusive to Liverpool. The problem with this way or registration is that more populous areas ran out of possible marks quicker than other areas. In the case of Liverpool the KA series ran out by 1927, but the SJ series issued by Bute Council lasted until 1963. Areas that did run out of plates though received new formats - three letters and three numbers - and later a reversed format (three numbers and three letters). Even these would run out though; something needed to be done. New Number Plates Introduced In 1967 a new format was introduced, known as suffix registration marks. These displayed three letters, up to three numbers, and then the letter A. This meant any vehicle registered in 1967 would have an A on the end. The following year the last letter was changed to a B, so any vehicle registered in 1968 would end in a B. This pattern continued until 1983 when the format was reversed (the prefix format) and the first letter became the year of registration.

This was the case until the format changed again in 2001 to the one we have currently. At some point while all this was happening, people realised that some number plates were more desirable than others and tried their hand at selling them. This is how National Numbers started - finding old, rundown vehicles and buying them so you could sell the number plate (the car would just be scrapped). Over the years the practise became more and more popular. Today thousands of people are buying and selling number plates. It is amazing how far the concept has come. Vehicle Registrations | Registration | Division of Motor Vehicles | NH Department of Safety Registration > Vehicle Registrations Registrating a vehicle in New Hampshire is a two-part process. With the exception of Mopeds, all motor vehicles must begin their registration process at the town or city clerk in the town or city in which they reside. The second part of the process is the state transaction; however, the Town/City Clerk may be a Municipal Agent of the State and may be able to complete the state transaction part of the registration process for an additional fee. Please contact your Town/City Clerk or Tax Collector directly to find out if your town or city allows online registrations or registrations through the mail.

New Registrations If you are a new resident of New Hampshire, please visit our " New to New Hampshire " page for more information. To register your vehicle in New Hampshire, you must first go to your town/city clerk's office to determine your residency and start your registration process. Once residency is determined by your town or city clerk, if you have the title of your vehicle or it is exempt from title you may process the entire transaction at your town or city clerk's office. If you have an out-of-state loan or are leasing the vehicle, please see the 60-day, temporary plate page . Registering a vehicle purchased from a New Hampshire dealership: If you purchased the vehicle at a New Hampshire retail dealership and are a New Hampshire resident, present to your town or city office the certificate of title, or the blue copies of your title application. Please provide proof of residency if you have not already done so as established by your town/city. Registering a vehicle purchased from an out-of-state dealership: Present to your town/city clerk your title from the dealership or the New Hampshire title application from the lienholder. If it is a brand new vehicle, a Manufacturers Statement of Origin (MSO) is required.

Please provide proof of residency if you have not already done so as established by your town/city. Registering a vehicle purchased in a private sale: Present a properly assigned title certificate to the town/city clerk where you reside. Please provide proof of residency if you have not already done so as established by your town/city. Registering a title-exempt vehicle purchased in a private sale: Present a proper bill of sale pursuant to RSA 261:148 . You will also need proof of VIN which can be an original or copy of the title, a previous or copy of a New Hampshire registration, or a properly completed VIN Verification form . Please provide proof of residency if you have not already done so as established by your town/city. Registration Renewals Renewing a registration: Bring your current motor vehicle registration or your renewal notice to the town or city where you reside to pay your permit fees first. The DMV cannot process the registration without the town fees being paid first. Most towns/cities are also municipal agents of the state and, for a small, additional fee, can also complete the state portion of your registration.

Renewing a registration while temporarily out of State: Within four months prior to your registration expiration date, please send your renewal notice or registration certificate to the town or city in New Hampshire where you reside, along with the proper payment. Please notify the town or city clerk if you would like them to complete the state portion as well. The State will not be able to complete your registration if the town fees have not been paid first. Please include the out-of-state address where you would like your registration to be mailed. Registration Transfers To transfer a registration from a currently registered vehicle to another vehicle (for example you purchase a new vehicle and would like to put plates on it from another vehicle registered to you), you will need to bring your current registration of the plate you want transferred and proof of ownership for the new vehicle to the town or city clerk where you reside. Transfer credit is only allowed if the primary owner's name on the old registration and the new registration do not change. Please note: Once the plates have been transferred, the old vehicle is no longer legally registered and may not be driven on any roadway. If you are a surviving spouse, please bring your title and/or lienholder information to your town/city clerk and a copy of your spouse's death certificate.

If it is a new vehicle, no credit will be given. For lease transfers, please bring in your current registration and your new CTA and/or Title to your town or city clerk. Fees Because registering a vehicle in New Hampshire is a two-part process, there are fees due to both the town/city and to the State. For an explanation of fees, please see RSA 261:141 for state fees, and RSA 261:153 for town/city fees. In addition to the registration fees, there is an $8.00 plate fee for the first time you order plates. Plate Changes You may change your plate type at any point during the year. A completed Application for Replacement Plates and Decals is required, and you will be required to pay the plate fees ($8), the new registration fee ($15), plus any other applicable fees for the plate type requested. Duplicate Copy of a Registration A Duplicate Copy of a registration is available when a current registration has been misplaced, lost or has been destroyed. form. The fee for this transaction is $15.00 per registration and can be completed at any DMV office .

Certified Copy of a Registration Certified copies of registrations are available for the following purposes: Needed for a court case or police investigation. If you move out-of-state, and the new state requires a certified copy of a registration. If you have sold your vehicle to an out-of-state resident and the vehicle is title exempt . New Format Car Registrations - Number Plates For Less From Swansea - Private Car Registrations New Format Car Registrations New Registrations Format From September 2001 the DVLA introduced the latest format of vehicle license plates (an example of which is shown below) to follow the ending of the DVLA Prefix number plates issue which finished at ‘Y’ Prefix. The registration mark is made up of seven characters. There are three parts to the registration mark, each with a separate meaning. The first two letters show where the vehicle was registered, the local memory tag (area identifier) The two numbers indicate the age of the vehicle, the age identifier The last three letters give a unique identity to a vehicle, the 3 random letters LOCAL MEMORY TAG (area identifier) The first two letters of the new registration mark format form a local memory tag showing the region where a vehicle is first registered.

These local memory tags will help with the recall of number plates and the identification of vehicles. The letters I, Q and Z are not used in the Local Memory Tag. The first letter represents the region. The second letter relates to a DVLA Local Office as shown below in the table and map Local Memory Tag SALES: 01792 477316 (calls may be recorded for security and training purposes) E&OE, email sales@plates4less.co.uk © 1989 - 2016 P.O. Box 465, Swansea, SA1 8YN Important Private Number plates and DVLA Information Important Private Number plates and DVLA Information DVLA is the government agency responsible for all regulatory matters related to the issue and display of private number plates and car registrations in the UK. The DVLA acronym means Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency and its head quarters are here in Swansea from where it controls all UK private registration plates . It was formerly called the DVLC standing for Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre but this title was changed in 1990 and so is now obsolete.

In Northern Ireland the government agency responsible for controlling and issuing Irish number plates was DVA, this acronym meaning the Driver Vehicle Agency. DVLA is a registered trade mark of the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency. We contract with the agency on a daily basis but VRM Swansea Plates4less is in no way affiliated to the DVLA or DVLA Personalised Registrations . All personalised number plates and personal registration marks mentioned in this site are British i.e. issued and controlled by the DVLA Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency here in Swansea. They are only for display on vehicles registered in the UK and Northern Ireland. Personal Number plates : Follow the law As responsible personalised number plates agents we feel it is important that our visitors and customers understand the law regarding the supply and display of cherished number plates as they are valuable assets and should be protected. It was once possible to buy cheap number plates from any private car numberplates maker without any evidence of your entitlement to the car registration numbers. These days you need to provide the private registration plates manufacturer with a V948 number plate authorisation certificate which is issued by the DVLA only after your keeper’s entitlement has been checked.

Your numberplates are an important identifying feature of your vehicle and can be cloned to provide a false identity to any vehicle for those engaged in vehicle related crime. There are now many stories that tell of speeding fines collected in areas of the UK where car owners have never visited, due to the display of duplicate number plates by criminals. The law on the display of vehicle registration numbers is now very strict and personal number plates owners may not use decorative or fancy fonts. Letters and numbers must be of the correct size, style and spacing with private registration plates also conforming to strict British Standards in their materials and manufacture. To break the law on the manufacture and display means you risk having your entitlement to your cherished registration plates permanently withdrawn and face a substantial fine of up to £1000. Incorrectly displayed private plates or personalised reg marks will be enough to make your vehicle fail its MOT test. VRM Swansea Plates4less is a DVLA registered number plate supplier (supplier no: 3166) and a recognised reseller of DVLA Personalised registrations . In recognition of this fact we only supply fully road legal number plates .

DVLA, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, DVA NI Driver and Vehicle Agency Northern Ireland, are registered trademarks Ultimate Number Plate Guide | Tips | Lookers Ultimate Number Plate Guide The ultimate number plate guide Number Plate Guide Annual number plate changes are standard practice in the UK with the current system being in place since 2001. With new registration plates being released in March and September each year, the 17-plate will be replace the 66-plate in March 2017. But what does it all mean? Understanding how a number plate is made up is a useful bit of knowledge to have, especially if you are looking to buy a car. It is much easier to calculate a car's age with the latest number plate system. The year in which the car was made is detailed by the numbers present in the registration. For example, a car made in 2016 will have '16' in its registration. If it is registered in the September plate change, it will have the same year plus 50 i.e. '66'. This is standard across all cars registered since 2001, so you can easily work out the age of a vehicle if you are looking to purchase a used car.

The rest of a registration plate is made up of letters. The first two letters identify the location of where the vehicle was registered. For example, LA – LY covers London and MA – MY indicates the vehicle was registered in Manchester and Merseyside. The last three letters of the number plate are randomly selected and allocated to dealers when the vehicles are registered Personalised plates, however, are an exception to the rules and will often read differently to the usual two-letter, two-number, three-letter sequence of a standard registration plate. The current system is able to run up until February 2051, with the last age-identifier being '00'. At this time the DVLA is likely to review and update the number plate registration system. How can I get the best deal on a new number plate? The cheapest and easiest way to get a new number plate and a new car is through a part exchange deal it here at Lookers. You can buy a personalised number plate but you need to note something very important. Depending on the age of your vehicle, there may be restrictions as to the registration that can appear on your vehicle. Where the personalised registration number has an age identifier, you can only put that number onto a vehicle of equal age or newer.

For example, if you were to purchase a 54 current style registration plate, you can only put this on a vehicle that is registered as new on September 1, 2008 or after. As you cannot add a new vehicle registration plate onto a car that is older than the plate suggests, you might need to buy the new car to go with it. All vehicles from September 2016 will bear the new 66-plate registrations. A good way to get the new number plate and registered car is through part exchange. This means that you sell Lookers your car and this stands as a part payment for a new car carrying an up-to-date number plate. For more information about acquiring the upcoming 66 plate, talk to one of our experienced helpful staff members at Lookers today. Alternatively, visit us at one of our many dealerships located across the UK and place an order on your very own 66-registered number plate. How the number plate system works In 2001, the DVLA phased out the old once-a-year system and replaced it with the twice-annual number plate system which is still in place today.

The old system used to identify the age of the car with the first letter, which changed every year in August. The second and third numbers would be randomly selected and two of the final three letters would designate the area of registration, while the final letter would again be chosen at random. In this current plate system, there are three significant sections. The first two letters represent the 'local memory tag', which indicates where in the UK the vehicle was registered. For example, the letter combinations running from LA to LY are all indicative of London registration. Next, the third and fourth digits are known as the 'age identifier'. These are changed every six months in both March and September. In March, the digits will always be the same as the last two digits of the year. For example, a London car registered in March 2016 would read LA16. In September, 50 is added to this number. Therefore if the same car was registered in September 2016, its number plate would read LA66. Finally, the last three letters are chosen at random and allocated when the car is registered. These are generated by a computer, but are checked by people so that no offensive results are selected!

If you want to buy a new car with the latest number plate, it is advisable to wait until March or September. If you are looking for a used bargain it is best to buy earlier, before the newest number plates are released. How can I calculate a car's age? Calculating a car's age is important when assessing the quality of a car and how much insurance you are going to need to pay for it. Read our quick and easy guide to find out a car's age at one glance. In September 2001, the new number plate system came into existence. By introducing the current car registration system in 2001 with a 51 plate, many people were confused. Especially when in March 2002, the next number in the sequence was 02. While this does not seem logical at first, it really is obvious once you understand the strategy. Here at Lookers we want to show you a simple way to work out the age of your car. Unlike the old system, the first two letters in this current plate system represent the 'local memory tag', which indicates where in the UK the vehicle is registered. For example, the letter combinations running from LA to LY are all indicative of London registration.

Before the introduction of the new system in 2001, these letters were the signifiers of the age of a car. Now, the third and fourth digits are known as the 'age identifier'. These are changed every six months in both March and September. In March, the digits will always be the same as the last two digits of the year. For example, a London car registered in March 2016 might read LA16. In September, 50 is always added to this number. Therefore if the same car were to be registered in September 2016, its number plate would read LA66. How does the plate change affect personalised plates? Depending on the age of your vehicle, there may be restrictions as to the registration that can appear on the number plate of your vehicle. Before making your choice you must take note of these limitations. The third and fourth digits on your number plate are known as the 'age identifier'. These are changed every six months in March and September. In March, the digits will always be the same as the last two digits of the year. For example, a car registered in March 2016 it will show the number 16.

In September, 50 is always added to this number. Therefore if the same car were to be registered in September 2016, its number plate's third and fourth units would be 66. Where the personalised registration number has an age identifier (i.e. the two numbers in the first section of your number plate), you can only put that number onto a vehicle of equal age or newer. For example, if your personalised number plate had the numbers 08 or 58 in it, then the car will have to have been registered in 2008 or after. It is important to keep in mind that these restrictions still apply for older cars too. If you wish to start your personalised registration plate with a singular letter, you must check the old number plate system to see if it is suitable for your car. If you choose a W, for example, then you must ensure that your car was made in or after the year 2000. When do the new number plates come out? The Driver Licensing Vehicle Agency (DVLA) decides the whole procedure of when and why number plates change.

In 2001, the DVLA changed the format in which they registered cars, moving from the annual plate change to the current bi-annual process. This procedure will be in place until the DVLA must reconsider it in the year 2050. Starting from September 1 2016, all new cars in the UK will carry the number 66. This will apply to any new vehicle registered on any particular date up until February 28th, 2017. The number 66 will be placed in the centre of the number plate, following two letters that signify the area in which the vehicle was registered. These central numbers are known as the 'age identifier'. These are changed every six months in both March and September. In March, the digits will always be the same as the last two digits of the year. For example, a car registered in March 2016 would include the number 16, and 50 is always added to this number in September of the same year. Therefore if a car were to be registered in September 2016, its number plate would read 66. How can I get a new number plate?

UK registration plates are due to change again on March 1, 2017. Trade up to a newer model from your nearest Lookers dealership and be the owner of the newest number plate on the market. The third and fourth digits on your number plate are known as the 'age identifier'. These are changed every six months in both March and September. In March, the digits will always be the same as the last two digits of the year. For example, a car registered in March 2016 it will show the number 16. There are a few ways in which you can be the owner of a new registration plate. You can buy a personalised number with the plate, but you must be aware of the restrictions that are in place on using personalised plates. To find out more, look at our guide to finding your perfect personalised plate or call our helpful team at Lookers today. Another way you can easily own the 66 number plate is by trading your old car in for a new one from Lookers. All vehicles registered after September 2016 will bear the 66 number plate. A sensible and easy way to buy a new car from Lookers is to part exchange your current car.

This means using your car as a part payment for your new car rather than buying the new model outright. Depending on your existing model, your car can serve as a deposit for your new car or even reduce your monthly payments. The history of number plates Licence plates have been around for as long as there have been automobiles. France was the first country to introduce the licence plate in 1893, followed by Germany in 1896. Next was the Netherlands in 1898, followed closely by the US in 1901. The UK finally decided to join in when the Motor Car Act made registration plates a legal requirement on January 1, 1904. The first series of number plates were issued in 1903 and ran until 1932, consisting of a one or two-letter code followed by a sequence number from 1 to 9999. The code indicated the local authority in whose area the vehicle was registered. In England and Wales these were initially allocated in order of population size, as determined by the 1901 census. Thus A indicated London and FP indicated the smaller population of Rutland.

By 1932, however, the available codes were running out. An extended scheme was introduced that placed a serial letter before the code and the numbers only ran to 999. By the 1950s, this scheme had already hit a dead end. The next successful and long-running format was the prefix registration format. Prefix registrations, those that existed before 2001, all adhered to the format of a single year identifying letter. Then this would be followed by a number that may be one, two or three digits in length. Finally, the registration plate would end in three letters that would identify the area of the country in which the registration was issued. Since 2001, this number has now taken on more importance. It is now the number that has become the 'age identifier'. These registrations follow the format of a two-letter prefix (the location), a two-digit year identifier and three more randomly selected letters. The year identifier works in this way: in March the number will simply echo the last two digits of the year (i.e. 16 in March 2016) and in September 50 is added to this number (i.e.

66 in September 2016). How to calculate the year of your vehicle's registration plate Calculating your car's age is important when assessing how much insurance you should be paying for it. Our quick and easy guide will show you how to find out a car's age at a glance. In September 2001, the new number plate system came into existence. By introducing the current car registration system in 2001 with a 51 plate, many people did not understand the jump from the old format. Especially when, in March 2002, the next number in the sequence was 02. There is an easy explanation for this, and here at Lookers we want to show you a simple way to work out the age of your car. In this current plate system the first two letters represent the 'local memory tag', which indicates where in the UK the vehicle is registered. For example, the letter combinations running from LA to LY are all indicative of London registration. The third and fourth digits are known as the 'age identifier'. These are changed every six months in both March and September. In March, the digits will always be the same as the last two digits of the year.

For example, a London car registered in March 2016 might read LA16. In September, 50 is always added to this number. Therefore if the same car were to be registered in September 2016, its number plate would read LA66. What is a vehicle registration number? In the UK, vehicle registration plates (or number plates) usually indicate both the vehicle's place of origin and age. It is compulsory for most motor vehicles used on public roads to display one. Since September of 2001, there has been a new system in place which consists of two letters, two digits, then three letters. The first group gives the place of origin, and the second group gives the age. The second group is often known as the 'age identifier'. The last group does not tell you anything about the car; these are randomly selected letters to make your car's registration unique. The first group, or the 'local memory tag' indicates the exact registration office at which they were registered. The letters I, Q and Z are not used as local office identifiers, they are only used as randomly selected letters. The first of the two letters stands for the name of the broader area from where the car is registered.

For example, A would signify that the car was registered at one of the three offices located in East Anglia. The two-digit age identifier changes twice a year, in March and September. The code is either the last two digits of the year itself (i.e. 16 in the March 2016) or that number plus 50 (i.e. 66 in September 2016). By knowing this, you can always tell how old a car is that was registered after 2001. The final three letter sequence uniquely distinguishes each of the vehicles that displays the same first four characters. This scheme should have sufficient numbers to run until 2051. To find out more about registration numbers, the new 2016 registration plate or to register your interest in a new car displaying one of the latest registrations, call us at Lookers today or visit one of our dealerships located across the UK . DMV: Historical Notes About Connecticut's License Plates Historical Notes About Connecticut's License Plates Holiday Schedule: On Friday, February 10, DMV offices will close at 12:30 p.m.

to observe the President Lincoln Birthday holiday, and will reopen on Tuesday, February 14, at 7:45 a.m. With metal bases, Connecticut's registration plates were porcelain-covered from 1905 through 1916; they were painted from 1917 through 1919, and they have been stamped since 1920. They were made of iron until 1913 when they were made of steel and when CONNECTICUT first appeared on them. The early plates made and issued by the state were 10 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches in size until the early 1920's, when increases in the number of cars registered made it necessary to enlarge the plates to 11 1/2 by 6 inches, solely because numerals were being used at that time. By changing to letters plus numbers in 1930 our department was able to reduce the plate size to 9 1/2 by 6 inches, which it remained until 1956, when the nationally standardized size of 12 by 6 inches was adopted.

(Note: Our General Assembly created our State Motor Vehicle Department as of June 1, 1917, at which time the department began to issue these registrations and to assume other allied administrative duties in connection with Connecticut's rapidly growing automotive world.) Connecticut in 1937 pioneered nationally with so-called "permanent" plates made of aluminum. Another pioneering aspect of these plates was that they had annual inserts to denote each year of issue, the three-pronged metal inserts being changed in color each year. Prior to World War II (in 1941) Connecticut issued their first vanity plate. The vanity plates where 1 to 3 characters. In order to qualify for the issuance of a vanity plate, you needed a clean driving record, if your driving record became bad, the plate could be revoked. Connecticut also pioneered briefly (in 1948) with "reflectorized" plates as a safety device to reveal vehicles in the headlight beams of other vehicles during dark hours, much as mirrors would do. However, the fast-increasing use of much chrome on the vehicles from then onwards plus greatly improved front and rear lights on cars made such plates less essential in their basic purpose.

(Note: Except for slight exceptions when unable to make them, our state always has manufactured its metal plates at various state institutions.) In 1962 the department converted over from a once a year renewal system to a staggered renewal system where the passenger vehicle expiration was based upon the registrant's first letter of their last name. We then had twelve (12) different expiration dates each year. To do this the department abandoned the metal tabs in favor of a small plastic insert. (And it was cheaper also.) In 1973 the legislature passed an act stating that all marker plates manufactured after January 1, 1978 bear the legend CONSTITUTION STATE on the passenger plates. About the same time the department decided to use a white reflective sheeting as the background of the plates and have blue letters. These were the first plates to bear the legend "CONSTITUTION STATE". The reflective sheeting plate with the white background and blue letters apparently did not appear to be acceptable because in July of 1975 we reverted back to a blue background plate with white letters but the white letters were reflective using a process called "beads on paint".

The process appears to last better than the plates with the full reflective sheeting since we still are using it in the mid 1980s. At this time, we started incorporating a dot between all alpha/numeric characters. We also started centering all plates instead of placing all letters to one far side, and all numerics to the other. In 1980 the state of Connecticut went from a two (2) plate issue per registrant to a one (1) plate issue per registrant. In 1987 the state of Connecticut went from a one (1) plate issue per registrant to a two (2) plate issue per registrant. The following dates mark the year and the colors of Connecticut's license plates. 1903 - 1905 First plates used, these were made up on order of the owner of the car by a carriage maker in New Haven. Made of leather with house numbers riveted on. They were use for three years or until replaced by state issued plates. 1905 - 1908 First plates issued by the State. These were porcelain enamel with black background and white characters. The letter "C" was rounded.

1908 - 1909 Black background with white letters, porcelain enamel. The letter "C" was square shaped in contrast to the "C" of previous years. 1910 Red background with white letters, porcelain enamel. * 1911 White background with blue letters, porcelain enamel.* 1912 Green background with white letters, porcelain enamel.* 1913 Blue background with white letters, porcelain enamel.* 1914 Green background with white letters, porcelain enamel.** 1915 Black background with yellow letters, porcelain enamel. ** 1916 Black background with white letters, porcelain enamel.** 1917 White background with blue letters, porcelain enamel.** 1918 White background with green letters, porcelain enamel.** 1919 White background with black letters, porcelain enamel.** 1920 Cream background with blue letters, embossed metal, painted. ** 1921 Black background with yellow letters, embossed metal, painted. ** 1922 Cream background with red letters, embossed metal, painted.** 1923 Green background with white letters, embossed metal, painted.

** 1924 Grey background with black letters, embossed metal, painted. ** 1925 Black background with yellow letters, embossed metal, painted. ** 1926 Yellow background with black letters, embossed metal, painted. ** 1927 Maroon background with white letters and numerals. 1928 Black background with white letters and numerals. 1929 Maroon background with white letters and numerals. 1930 Black background with white letters and numerals. 1931 Maroon background with white letters and numerals. 1932 Blue background with white letters and numerals. 1933 Maroon background with white letters and numerals. 1934 Blue background with gold letters and numerals. 1935 Maroon background with white letters and numerals. 1936 Blue background with gold letters and numerals. 1937 - 1947 Aluminum background with black letters and numerals. 1948 Aluminum background with black letters and numerals. 1957 - 1973 Blue background with white letters and numerals.

1974 - 1975 White background with blue letters and numerals. 1975 - present Blue background with white letters and numerals. 1992 - present Introduction of Long Island Sound plate; proceeds used to preserve the Sound 1993 - Introduction of Special Interest plates for qualifying organizations. 2000 - Fully Reflectorized plate; Tri-blue background (matching the Special Interest plates) with dark blue letters and numerals. Content Last Modified on 7/29/2015 3:32:14 PM 60 State Street Wethersfield, CT 06161 / Phone: 860-263-5700 Vehicle registration - GOV.UK GOV.UK 1. Overview You’ll usually have to register a car or any other vehicle as soon as you’ve: bought it rebuilt or altered it imported it You do this by filling in forms and sending them to DVLA . The forms you have to send depend on your circumstances.

DVLA may need to inspect your vehicle to: make sure that the vehicle exists and you own it update their records because of changes you’ve made to the vehicle They will send you a letter if they need to do this. You won’t have to pay a fee. Use the different registration schemes for the motor trade if you’re a vehicle manufacturer, importer or VAT-registered trader.

Question: What is the first letter on registration plates of cars registered in Wales?
Answer: 'C'